Easily one of the most chilled celebs in Mzansi, Actor Wayne Van Rooyen sometimes has to stand up to fans who mistake him for his character on TV and hurl abuse his way.

Briefly.co.za learned that Van Rooyen who plays the role of rehabilitated criminal, Stokkie, on television show Scandal, says he finds things sometimes go bad when fans want to take photos with him.

"I always try to be accommodating but when I am with my family I try to make them aware that I am spending precious time with my family. I have got kids and they get confused when it happens. They wonder why people want to take pictures with their dad. It happens. Sometimes people get really horrible,” he said.

He said some fans even swear at him and say he should be happy to spend time with them. "I've had instances where people swear and curse and are like; 'why don't you want to spend time with me? I support you.'"

Once, when he play a role of a paedophile he was harassed by fans who hated his character. "People got really angry. They would come up to me and shout or say: 'How could you do that?' You are confused for a second because you don't remember doing anything wrong, until the penny drops and you realise what they are talking about. That is the power of the medium. People sometimes don't separate the actor from their character."

While he understands how it can happen, it still is difficult for him to deal with when it happens.

While he has been playing the same role for over three years he said he isn’t too worried about being typecast as a coloured actor in stereotypical coloured roles because of the control he has as an actor in defining his own role.

"I really enjoy playing the character but if I get cast in too many roles like it I might be concerned. Being typecast is always a thing, but you can always say no or ask questions about the character. Yes, a lot of coloured actors play gangsters or certain roles, but it is up to the individual to not take it. It is tricky but there is always a long-term possibility of writing your own character and making your own production."

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